Discussion: Circuit Scribe

So my friends, I've got something for you, and quite frankly, I'm excited just sitting here typing this! This is such a cool, innovative idea that'll let you literally draw out your circuits and test them on paper you drew them on. Yep, you heard me (or more appropriately, "read me")! 

 

I draw out my circuits all the time. If I have an idea, I do draw it out! Then I have to find the free time to piece it together on my breadboard, which is just a solder-less test-board for circuits. Piecing together the components on that slap of plastic can be time consuming and sometimes frustrating! But man... the worst part is having to take it apart when I'm done with it having to completely re-construct it when I need it again! Getting the components out is no biggie, but having to arrange them all into the correct order and positions is just awful. That's why I love this pen so much. You could literally have a notebook full of schematics that already has the wires laid out along with spots for your components, then all you'd have to do is put the components in and shazam! You've got your circuit. So, how does it work? Simple. They made a water-based conductive ink and instantly dries on paper. Smart, right? It works just like a normal ballpoint pen too. This would be especially good for students taking electronic engineering classes because instead of having to draw out the circuit and having to build it to test it, you can just test it on your paper. Not only that, but it would allow hands on note-taking that will show you how the circuit is working. Isn't that awesome? Now, do you know what's even cooler? It was made by the University of Illinois. Yep, our university invented it! You can fund this awesome project here on Kickstarter; and please do! I did my share and put $35 towards it. It's actually crazy how fast they've gotten their funding. They're not even 24 hours from me posting this and they already have $50,000 with a goal of $85,000. Now, if you'd like to learn even more, click here to go to their website. Since they introduced this project yesterday, their website is pretty boring, but it's surely going to improve in the near future!